The upfront market may be about to really begin dealing, according to some buyers as marketers start to register budgets after analyzing the complex TV landscape. One says the market could get underway within the next few days, but another cautions the networks may not be ready until most budgets are, which might push things back a bit. As usual, there is already a gulf between what sellers would like to get, and what buyers are willing to pay. One buyer says the nets may ask for CPM increases of 5% to 6%, but advertisers are …

To say the least, it's been an ugly year for global online betting companies. First, in October 2006, President Bush signed into law a bill banning Internet gambling payments to U.S. citizens, effectively rendering off-limits half of the $12 billion industry's customers. But it got worse when one of the biggest online betting execs, BetOnSports CEO David Carruthers, was arrested and forced to plead guilty to charges of racketeering. As a result, many betting companies either shifted the focus of their business or their business model altogether. The publicly traded companies are barely hanging on. There may …

A study by the Association of Public Television Stations finds that the 22 million American households that rely exclusively on free broadcast TV are hesitant to buy digital TV sets, or subscribe to cable or satellite services. This could cause problems as the U.S. prepares for a transition from analog to digital-only signals, since many consumers are unaware of it. A different APTS report showed that 61% of over-the-air households had no idea the transition was taking place. "Public broadcasters have long supported a successful DTV transition," says APTS president and CEO John Lawson. "However, our study confirms …

IAG Research, a firm that measures the effectiveness of TV ads, has released the data running down the most remembered prescription drug ads. Sleep aid Lunesta won the crown with its "Luna Moth" campaign, hitting a recall index of 155 and 153 while also being the most recognized prescription drug brand advertised on prime time. Rozerem, another sleeping pill, took No. 4 with its Abraham Lincoln and talking beaver ads. The third most memorable new ad was for Zyrtec, an allergy potion, and cholesterol reducers Crestor and Vytorin shared fifth. "Prescription drug advertising is fundamentally no different than advertising …

Dennis Miller's career is still in a downward spiral -- as the former "Saturday Night Live" star is now a game show host. GSN is launching a new program that pits winners of other game shows like "Jeopardy!" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" against each other -- and Miller will be the barker-in-residence. "Grand Slam" is an eight episode, one-on-one elimination tournament that features the top 16 game-show contestants vying to be the best. The series is produced by Michael Davies for Embassy Row and Sony Pictures Television and is set for an August 7 premiere. …

A new campaign for Burger King's Western Whopper insists that there is a little cowboy in everyone. The effort, from Crispin Porter + Bogusky, is composed of three 30- and three 15-second spots to air on all the broadcast nets, along with MTV, Cartoon Network and Fox cable. There are also three radio ads and a Web site. "For the Western Whopper, we decided that everyone has an inner cowboy," says Rob Reilly, vice president and creative director of Crispin. "And the inner cowboy is articulated through the moustache." In one, a member of a fictitious sorority sits …

After an ugly break-up with its previous shop, CareerBuilder.com has given its account to Wieden + Kennedy. The Portland, Ore.-based agency topped Arnold, DDB, DraftFCB and Leo Burnett, Chicago in a review. CareerBuilder started the review process after its Super Bowl spots -- produced by Cramer-Krasselt -- did not make the top 10 of USA Today's "Ad Meter" poll. Stung, Cramer-Krasselt immediately resigned the business. Spending behind CareerBuilder is about $60 million, according to TNS Media Intelligence, but much of that total is donated by the company's owner/partners, i.e. Tribune Co., Gannett Co. and McClatchy Co.

In what it claims is a first, Kimberly-Clark is putting a paper towel in about 1 million copies of Reader's Digest in order to drive sampling. One piece of the Viva towel brand will be in the mags, along with another in 800,000 of this month's Everyday With Rachael Ray. Along with enough paper to cover 50 football fields, the ads include a $1 coupon. "The challenge was how to get Viva into people's hands," says Dave Wears, marketing director for Viva. "It's very much of an experiment." But at least one observer wonders how well the approach …

NBC is likely to turn Victoria Beckham's upcoming reality series into a prime-time special, according to insiders -- and that could lead to more specials or another series. The Peacock Network announced the six-episode series, highlighting the former Spice Girl's move to Los Angeles with her family, earlier this year. Cameras were following Beckham as recently as Sunday, although there has been speculation in the British media about problems on the show. Supposedly, they arose after her husband, soccer star David Beckham, was recalled to play with the English national team late last month. The couple has been …

Global Hyatt will hear presentations from JWT and Euro RSCG in the final round of a review for its $40 million worldwide ad account. Both are pitching from their offices in New York, while consultancy Select Resources International handles oversees efforts. Domestic incumbent Cramer-Krasselt keeps creative duties on the Hyatt Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites businesses; in March, the agency launched a $15 million campaign in support of the two brands. "This move reflects no dissatisfaction with them," says Tom O'Toole, Hyatt's senior vice president of marketing and systems. "The review was prompted by our consolidating the global …